The SOMM Journal

June / July 2017

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Page 20 of 124

20 { THE SOMM JOURNAL } JUNE/JULY 2017
{
planet grape
}
Put it right in front of your
guests' eyes (from left
to right): Banfi Piemonte
produces the metodo classico
CuvéeAurora Rosé from 100
percent Pinot Nero from the
Alta Langa DOCG. Care, from
Bodegas Añadas in Spain's
Cariñena DO, offers snappy
raspberry fruit. The inaugural
2016 vintage of the vibrantly
charming Wither Hills Rosé
of Pinot Noir makes a super
by-the-glass selection.
Les Clans, made from
Grenache and Rolle, is just one
of several dry, food-worthy
offerings from Château
d'Esclans in Provence.
Suggestive
SELLING
SUMMER IS HERE and the rosé is flowing. From the Caribbean to the Hamptons, from the Riviera to Ibiza,
the gliterrati are sipping this refreshing, food- and bleached teeth–friendly wine as a sophisticated apérifit or
with a lazy lunch or dinner al fresco.
Rosé is no longer just for the ladies or a simple little sipper, though it fills both roles nicely. It is a wine to
drink while you think about what to drink. From a pale, dry, subtle and minerally Provençal rosé from the South
of France to a deeply-hued, fruity and bold Tempranillo rosé from Spain, from a serious dry Italian méthode
champenoise from Piedmont to a New Zealand rosé of Pinot Noir, there is a style and price for everyone.
Rosés pair easily with dishes subtle to bold, as they are crisp, refreshing and unoaked. A serious rosé pairs
beautifully with lamb.
So what about the rest of your guests? Those not in the know? Like the folks who have never heard of
Hamilton. How do you reach them? Aside from liberal staff training and tasting, put it right in front of their eyes.
Literally. When you walk into a French bistro, your eyes are drawn to the large gleaming silver bucket filled with
Champagne on ice. Your mouth waters, and your mind is made up.
Try this with your eye-catching rosé wines. Take a large silver bucket, line it with ice only, no water, and set
in a variety of hues and bottle shapes. If your bar is large enough, have opened bottles for service behind the
actual display. This helps keep the display tidy. Source your selections from all over the world if your theme
allows, and share the bounty and value with your guests. Remember, visibility makes drinkability.
VISIBILITY MAKES DRINKABILITY–ESPECIALLY FOR
WARM-WEATHER ROSÉS
by Catherine Fallis, MS